Yep but there is a way of steaming it and on and glueing it with that sap glue that you use to stick the scabbard together with but i haven't discovered that little trick yet so i had to cut corners and use epoxy resin instead and bent the rattan into shape.

You could always try it withe a steam iron but you have to put it onto an un laquerd scabbard if you'r going to use the proper japanese glue!